Improvement in clover-hullers



M. H. MANSFIELD. 1 Clover Seed Huller.

Patented June 21, 1864.

N. Finns Plmlo-Ullwgmphcn Washmnlnn. 0.0

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

M. H. MANSFIELD, OF ASHLAND, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLOVER-HULLERS.

, Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 43,2l7, dated June 21, 1864.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, M. H. MANSFIELD, of Ashland, in the county of Ashland and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved Glover-Seed Huller and Separator; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan or top view of the same.

Similar letters of reference inthe three views indicate corresponding parts.

This invention consists, first, in a peculiar combination of thrashing-cylinder, strawshaker, and screens, whereby the operation of thrashing and separating the straw from the pods, previous to entering the latter in the hullin g mechanism, can be dispensed with; further, in the employment or use of a double-spring pitman connecting the eccentric wrist-pin to the two tables of the straw-separator, in such a manner that both tables are operated simultaneously from one crank; also, in the combination, with the pins from which the tables are suspended, of adjustable brackets in such a manner that by the position of said pins in relation to each other, each table receives a separate motion, (one up when the other goes down, and vice versa,) and that said brackets can be readily adjusted to give to the tables the proper inclination.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe it. p

A represents a frame, made of wood or any other suitable material, in the usual shape of the frames of clover-hnllers or other similar machines. This frame forms the bearings for the axle a of the hulling-cylinder B, which works in the concave G, and to which the clover, straw, and all is fed over the inclined feed-table D. The teeth of the cylinder and concave are so arranged that they serve the double purpose of thrashing and hullin g, and that the mass on being discharged from the hulling mechanism is in a fit condition to be delivered directjy to the straw-separator. This separator, which in ordinary cloverhullers is situated between the thrashing and hulling mechanism, in my improved machineis placed between the hulling mechanism and screens,the

thrashing operation being effected simultaneously with the hulling. Said straw-operator is composed of two tables, E E, which are suspended by means of rods 1) b from pins 0 c, that are firmly inserted in'brackets ll, secured to the inside of the longitudinal top bars of the frame A. These brackets are adjustable up or down, so that the inclination of the tables can be adjusted at pleasure. The pins 0 0, from which the two tables are suspended, are in different vertical planes, so that when the table E is in its highest position the table E has reached its lowest point, and vice versa, and that the straw is dischargedover the rear end of the table E, whereas the seed and chaff are carried by the table E to the screens G. The table E is perforated with a series of holes, 0?, and it is provided with inclined blocks 0, which are fastened directly to its surface, and the inclined sides of which come down to the very surface of said table. By these means said teeth are enabled to run up the straw from the surface of the table and to pass it in an indirect course over the table. At the same time said teeth shake out from the straw the chaff and seeds, and prevent the straw from covering up the holes in the table,

thus allowing the seed and chaff to pass freely through them. A reciprocating motion is imparted to the tables E E by means of adoublespring pitman, H, from an eccentric wrist-pin, e, which is firmly inserted in the front surface of the pulley I. One end of the pitman H is provided with a suitable box or hole to fit on the wrist-pin e, and the other end branches off in two springs, f f, which arevsecured to arms 9 g, projecting from the sides of the tables E E. Both tables are thereby operated simultaneously from one and the same wristpin. The seed and chaff, on passing from the lower table to the screens G, are exposed to the blast from the fanblower J, and the screens are hung in a shoe, to which a shaking motion is imparted in the usual manner. The good seed drops through the screens and collects in a box or drawer, K, below, and the tailings are gathered in the conveyer-box L at the rear end of the frame A. This box is provided with a slide, L, which can be set higher or lower by means of a dog, h, catching in a series of teeth in its rear surface. This slide is set in an inclined position, and by adjustin g it up or down the tailin gs are gathered at a greater or less distance from the screens, so as to save all the nn'hulled clover that passes over. The spiral conveyer M gathers the tailings into the bottom end of the elevator N, and by the action of said elevator they are returned to the hulling-cylinder. By these means clover-seed can be hulled and separated from the straw and chaff without exposing the clover to a distinct thrashing mechanism.

The following is What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a clover-separating machine having a cylinder and concave armed with grooved and beveled or roughened teeth, the relative ar- M. H. MANSFIELD.

Witnesses W. A. ROLLER, ROBERT MOMURRAY, 

